Submitted by Margaret O’Dell, 2024 PBTC Hiking Festival Committee
The Peninsula Bruce Trail Club (PBTC) hosted the Peninsula Hiking Festival on October 4th and 5th at Camp Celtic in Stokes Bay on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula. Attended by over 100 hikers and nature enthusiasts, facilitated by over a dozen subject-matter experts, and supported by upwards of 30 volunteers, this year’s PBTC signature event highlighted the theme of Listen to the Land.
Participants from across Ontario came to the festival to deepen their connection with the land and with each other as they explored the bio-diversity of the natural wonders of the Niagara Escarpment through a variety of programs over the two-day event.
Festival programs took participants on a walk through 450 million years of the formation of the Niagara Escarpment, while other participants learned about tree identification, astrophotography, local bird species, macro photography, conservation efforts, and the interconnection of healthy pollinators and production of food products such as honey and beer. Another important aspect of the Festival included learning about local First Nations stories, medicinal plants and the importance of understanding different world views.
Special thanks to subject experts who deepened our understanding of – and connection with the land – Adam MacLaren, Barbara von der Heide, Beth Gilhespy, Brian Popelier, Bob Knapp, Chantelle Burbridge, Christian Riemerschmidt von der Heide, Esme Batten, Ethan Meleg, Janna Chegahno, Jenna McGuire, Madeline Sanagan, Margaret O’Dell, Miptoon, Peter Rasberry, Tainin Hopkinson, and Tyler Miller.
In addition to the intensive two-day programming, participants were treated to delightful social evening including Tagwerk’s oven-fired pizza and beer, musical performances, bon-fire, yoga, polar bear dip and story-telling. Participants and volunteers alike were able to connect and relax in the spacious outdoor setting at Camp Celtic with perfect weather the entire weekend.
The event concluded with a camp-style dinner, prepared by the local SWANS group, and a visually enchanting photographic tour of the Escarpment presented by renowned author and photographer Mark Zelinski.
The extraordinary support from event sponsors and local businesses enhanced the event, with affordable ticket prices, accommodation discounts, food and beverage, and an awesome selection of Silent Auction items for additional fundraising efforts – which raised over $3,500. These funds will support PBTC hiking programs and the 2025 Peninsula Hiking Festival.
Peninsula Bruce Trail Club is one of nine Bruce Trail Conservancy Clubs, maintaining over 260 km of the Bruce Trail from Wiarton to Tobermory and stewards over 50 Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) Nature Reserves on the Saugeen Peninsula – run by volunteers with guidance from BTC staff.
It’s these volunteers who were the heart and soul of the 2024 Peninsula Hiking Festival. Many months of planning and preparation, countless hours were devoted to making this festival the best ever! And indeed it was – congratulations to the Peninsula Hiking Festival Committee and to the PBTC Club.
If you are interested in joining the 2025 Festival Committee, please contact Marg @ pbtcoutreach@gmail.com or Randy @ hikewithpbtc@gmail.com.
